Taping machine



March 4, 1941. um-ms TAPING momma Filed June 22; 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 1941- J. E. M INTIRE urina MACHINE Filed June 22, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 4, 1941. J. E. M INTIRE- 'TAPING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 4, 1941. VJ um- 5 2,233,424

I TAPING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1939 7 sheets-sh d 5,

March 4, 1941; .1. E. M INTIRE TAPING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Mar. 4, 1941 PATENT. OFFICE TAPING MACHINE James E. .McIntire, Peabody, Mass, assignor to United ShoeMachinery Corporation, Borough of Flemington, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 22, 1939, Serial No. 280,569

39 Claims.

This invention relates to taping machines and is illustrated herein as embodied in a machine adapted for use in applying tape for reinforcing purposes to shoes or parts thereof such as eyelet rows and vamp throats, for example.

Shoe quarters are commonly'provided with a series of perforations adapted to receive fastening means such as buttons, hooks or eyelets, the area in which these perforations are situated being termed herein the eyelet row, this area usually being bounded by an edge one portion of which extends longitudinally of the row of perforations, the edge being bent at each end of the row so as to extend obliquely across it. 16 Because of the proximity of the perforations to the edge of the upper, it is desirable to reinforce the eyelet row so as to permit the fastenin s to be more securely attached to the shoe than would be possible otherwise and to insure against distortion of the upper under the stress imparted to it through the fastenings.

In order to insure that the portions of the eyelet row including the endmost perforations will be reinforced, it is desirable to shape the ends of the reinforcing tape so as to fit closely withinthe ends of the eyelet row, thereby avoiding any necessity for folding corners of the tape to make it fit the curved or oblique end of the eyelet row and at the same time obviating the possibility that 30 the end zones of the eyelet row, including the endmost perforations, may not be reinforced, as is likely to be the case if the tape is cut short enough.

with square ends so as not to extend beyond the junction of the straight and bent edges of the eyelet row. i

The shaping of the ends of the tape to fit closely within the ends of the eyelet row, as a hand operation, is subject to the objections of being inaccurate, slow, and hence costly. As performed by one type of machine, this operation is carried out by the use of two separate cutting instrumentalities operating at different times on the tape, first to shape apart of the end edge of the tape and then to sever the length of tape defined by the first cut from the source of supply. Because of the difficulty of synchronizing these cutting operations not only with each other but also with the operation of a tape-applying device, this type of machine is rendered complicated and inexact as to the length-of tape cu t, especially if the cuts are made in the tape while it is being applied to the work as is 'usuallythe case in the use-of machines of the type which apply the tape to thework progressively.

In view of the foregoing,

55 the general object of the invention is' to provide an improved and rapidly operating tape applying machine which will cut and shape the ends of a length of tape so that it fits closely within the area to be reinforced and apply the formed tape to th work in 5 exactly the desired position.

To this end, the invention provides an improved taping machine having as one feature, tape cutting means comprising a die having spaced cutting edges which cooperate with a punchover 10' which the tape passes to make tWo converging cuts simultaneously whereby the tape is severed and a small wedge shaped scrap is cut from the tape so as to form similar contours on the trailing end of one length of tape and the leading end 15 of the succeeding length of tape. In order t dispose of these scraps, which are sticky on one side and hence are likely to impair the operation of the machine if they are not held away from the cutting edges of the cutting means, the latter has associated therewith, in accordance with another feature of the invention, means for bending the scrap of tape longitudinally thereof as it is cut whereby the length of this scrap is greater than the normal distance between the cuts. Thus, the scrap section, because of its length, becomes wedged in the cutting means against any movement toward its cutting'edges during its retractive movement. This control of the scrap section is furthered, in accordance with another feature of the invention, by means on that member of the cutting means in which the scrap section is wedged for holding the scrap section in the member during its retractive movement.

With a view to enabling the illustrated ma- 5 chine to beoperated at the highest possible speed, it is arranged to pull from the source of supply a length of tape suflicient for a complete taping operation, sever the tape as described above, and then to apply the entire length of tape at once to 40 the work. In order to minimize the delay in the operation of the presser following. the pulling-off operation caused by. the necessity of retracting the pulling-off means from beneath the presser,- the pulling-01f means in the illustrated machine comprises, as, a further feature of the invention, a pair of pulling-off members movablein opposite directions from the opposite ends of asupport upon which the work rests toward each other to a point substantially midway between the ends of the'support, one of the members being adapted during this movement to' pull'oif a part of the, length of tape and to present its leading end to the other member, the latterthen gripping the tape and completing the pulling-off movementof 5 the tape in the same direction while the former pulling-off member returns to its initial position prior to pulling-off a succeeding length of tape. Thus, at the end of a pulling-off movement both pulling-off members will have been moved substantially to the ends of their strokes outside of the path of the presser, the operation of which is timed so as to follow practically immediately the completion of the pulling-off operation,

In order to insure the accurate disposition of the tape on the work, especially when the length of tape to be applied is relatively short, as in the case of vamp throat staying for example, thepinvention provides as another feature atape lowering device which supports a short length of tape as it is severed at a level above the workand is adapted to lower the tape on to the Work, the device then being moved away from beneath the presser member.

Invention is also to be recognized in improved 3 gaging means for positioning the Work beneath thev presser in the proper relation to the tape, and means for moving the gaging means into and out of its operative position between successive movements of the presser into engagement with the tape.

An illustrative machine embodying the present invention will now be described in detail, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

. In the drawings, 1

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the machine,

' showing the work support, pressing member, tape feedingmeans, and cutter;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a detail of the gripper control;

V Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the machine;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of the grippers partly in section;

Fig. 5 is afragmentary horizontal section, showing a portion of the gripper control mechanism, and the bracket for holding the stationary element of the cutting means;

Fig. dis a plan view, partly broken away, of

auxiliary feeding mechanism and one of the i grippers;

partly in section;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged end view of the righthand gripper; I

Fig. 13 is an enlarged front elevation of the punch and die;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged side elevation of the punch and die, showing the work support in section; K

Fig. 15 is a bottom view of the presser foot, showing the shape of the punch and die;

Fig. 16 is a front elevation, showing the waste scraps lodged in the die; I

Fig.- 17 is an enlarged vertical section through the die, showing the stack of waste pieces;

Fig. 18 shows a plan View of the pieces of tape out by the punch and die; M

19 is a front elevation of a modified gage for'vamps; t

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary side elevationof gage;

Fig. 21 shows axplan view of the vamp gage Fig. 22 is a plan view of a throat-stay-lowering device and a disappearing gage; Fig. 23 is an angular view, of this same device including also the presser foot;

Fig. 24 is a plan' view of the presser foot slide and an associatedbracket for operating the tapelowering device;

Fig. 25 is a View, partlyin vertical section, of

-a--bracket for mounting the lowering device;

Fig. 26 shows the application of an eyelet-stay "to an eyelet row; I r

Fig. 27-'isa front elevation of the presserand work support with the associated tape-lowerin device;

Fig. 28 is a side elevation of the parts Shown in Fig.23; and

Fig. '29 is a fragmentary side elevation of this samemechanism with the gage in section. Two types of work to bev performed by the machine of thisinventionare illustratedin Fig. 26, whichshows the application of the reinforcingtape in the form of aneyelet stay ES to an 7 eyelet row on a shoe quarter Q and in Figs. 21 and 23 which show the application of the reine forcing tape as a throat. stay TS to a vamp V." In Fig. 26 a typical eyelet row is shown having a straight run a and bent'runs b and c at each.

end. The margins of the shoe quarter Q adiacent to the eyelet row may be folded or finished in any desirable fashion in-accordance with standard practice and into'this area is laid a" reinforcing strip or eyelet stay ES havin vrounded corners d and e to fit into the bent runs 1) and 0. Referring to Figs. 21 and23, there are shown Vamps V to the throat of which are appliedstrips of reinforcing tape T, sometimes called throat stays TS. In Fig. 23 the vamp? shown is to be used in a Bad-type of shoe, and Y since the reinforcement is necessaryonly atthe central portion of the throat a veryshort piece of tape Tis employed. -Whenyamps' for the Blucher-type shoe are prepared, the tape is ex- A tended across the full width of the; throatv as shown-in Fig. 21. i

' Referring now to Figs. 1, 3 and Q forspecific' I illustration of the machine for, applying the tape,

a base It and a frame IZ including a hollow gear box formed integral therewith cons'titute, the; support for the parts of. the machineand houses the driving means.

This type of machine'may be termeda con tinuous taper in contradistinction tolthe' com mon hand-operated taper;- and has apresser' M which, during the operation of the machine,

periodically strikes work on a work support 16. I

To eliminate shock, andJalsoIto prolong the con-- tact of the presserwith. the work supporter) .to insure a complete union of the tape with the work, the" work support It is yieldably mounted,

being carried at the'free end i8 of ;a beam 2!! pivoted at 22 to the frame of the machine. "The beam is supported midway between its ends by means of a spring24f the ends of which are seated respectively in cups formed on the under: side;

(if h bea nd n; he. ba ao e-frame... Bid-- jacentto the spring a headed stud26 i.s; threadec'lf into the base of.. the frame, the upper end'offthe stud. slidably engagingian apertureffzil extending; a

\ vertically through the beam 26, therebyproviding a guiding means while; the head acts as a,

stoptol limit .the upward mpvementj of the "beam;

The work support I6 is seated in a rabbet 30 formed along the edge of the free end I8 of the beam 20 and is secured thereto by means of screws. The work support l6 comprises an elongate block 32 beveled at its front edge and recessed along its rear edge to receive a rubber strip 34 the top of which constitutes the worksupporting surface.

In order to insure proper positioning of the work on the support [6 just described gages are mounted adjacent to the rear edge and one end of the work support to engage the rear edge of the work and one end thereof. The rear gage is shown in plan in Fig. '7 and comprises a fiat L-shaped plate 36 having a depending flange 38 overhanging the side of the beam 26. A slot 46 (Fig. 9) is formed in the flange 38 and a screw 42 extends therethrough and is threaded into the beam whereby the position of the L-shaped plate may be adjusted longitudinally of the lever. The front edge of the L-shaped plate is parallel to the rear edge of the work support 16 and a gagefinger 44 is struck up therefrom. A second gagefinger 46 is struck up from the front edge of a fiat plate 48, likewise parallel to the work support, said plate 48 being slidably mounted on the L-shaped plate 36 between the latter and a cover plate 54 so that the distance between the fingers 44 and 46 may be varied to accommodate the length of work placed upon the work support and for convenience a depending finger hold 50 is formed at the end of the slidable plate 48 for moving the same. The cover plate 54 is loosely pinned to the plate 36, the pins extending through a slot 56 formed in the plate 48 and a spring finger 52 is secured to the L-shaped plate 36 so that its free end bears against the cover plate thereby frictionally holding the plate 54 in contact with the plate 48. The end gage 64 is a spring-supported pin adjustably carried at the end of the work-supporting surface by an L- shaped bracket 58 secured to the edge of the beam by means of a screw 51 extending through a slot formed in one arm of the same. The other arm of the bracket extends away from the beam and has slidably secured thereto a fiat plate 68 having an enlargement 62 at its inner end, said enlargement being vertically bored to accommodate the spring-supported gage-pin 64 which constitutes the work-engaging element of the gage. It will be readily seen from the above description that the gage pin 64 for the end of the work and the gage-finger 46 for the rear edge of the work are each adjustable transversely and longitudinally of the work support while the gage-finger 44 can be adjusted transversely.

While the gages described above are satisfactory for positioning many kinds of work on the support, particularly pieces having regular edges, it is not practical to position Vamps and other irregular work by the use of rear and end edge gages. A modified type of gage, shown in Figs. 19, 20 and 21, has therefore been proposed for work of an irregular nature such as vamps. The proposed gage is of an automatic type and engages the front edge of the work at the front edge of the work support l6 and will hereinafter be called a front gage. The front gage comprises a pair of spaced hook-shaped fingers 66 reciprocable to and from the worksupport and adjustable longitudinally thereof. The movement to and from the work support is accomplished by mounting the hook-shaped fingers 66 for sliding movement in slots 68 formed in apair of blocks I0 adjustably secured to the end of the beam, the said blocks fitting over the end of the beam and the beveled edge of the work support and having outer sloping surfaces terminating in the upper surface of the work support. The inner free ends of the fingers are provided with alined notches 12 arranged to receive a rod 14 mounted "between the ends of a pair of arms 16 secured to a shaft 11 pivoted in depending-journals 18 formed on the under side of the beam 26. The extended end 19 of one of the arms 16 is pivotally connected to a bell-crank lever by means of an intermediate link 82. The short arm 84 of the bell-crank lever is provided with a flat bearing surface 86 which, in conjunction with a screw 88 shown in Fig. 20 limits the clockwise movement of the crank, as viewed from the right side, whereby the inward movement of the gage fingers 66 may be limited. The long arm 89 of the bell-crank lever extends forwardly of the pivot and the free end thereof bears against the under surface of a depending portion of an abutment block 9| received in a notch (Fig. 9) and attached by screws to the presser 14 whereby downward movement of the same automatically withdraws the gage fingers 66 laterally from engagement with the work and therefore from the path of the presser. The blocks 10, as heretofore stated, are shaped to conform to the work support and the sloping front faces thereof are u grooved at H so that the gage fingers 66 may move in to the front edge of the surface of the work support.

In order properly to center the work on the support it is necessary to arrange the gage elements 66 so that they may be moved as a unit or individually along the work support. The longitudinal movement of the gage fingers 66 as a unit is provided for by securing the blocks 16 to a pair of members 90 slidably suspended from a dovetailed key 92 mounted in a groove in the under side of the beam. A screw 94 is journalled in a bracket 96 secured to one edge of the beam and is threaded into one end of the dovetailed key 92. A hand nut 93is threaded onto the free end of the screw 94 and is held from axial movement by a fork 95 the fingers of which lie in a circumferential groove formed on the nut, whereby the key and the gage fingers may be moved longitudinally of the work support. In order to provide for relative movement between thegage fingers 66 a screw 68 having a hand wheel 91 is rotatable in a bracket 99 secured to the opposite end of the key 92 but cannot move axially therein. The shank of the screw 98 is threaded in an eye I66 formed on the bottom of one of the blocks 10 and its end is journaled in an eye I62 formed on the bottom of the other of the blocks, which moves with the screw. Rotation of the screw 98 will cause the block 16 intermediate the ends of the screw to move longitudinally of the work support and relative to the other block.

The machine as will be hereinafter described may be equipped with a stay lowering device when very short lengths of tape are to be cut, this lowering mechanism moving between the presser and support. While the aforesaid gages would function in spite of this additional rhechanism,

tion secured in the rabbet 30 at the front edge of the beam 20. The upper front edge of the member I04 is beveled to correspond to the beveled edge of the former work support I 5. The memher is recessed longitudinally at I05, said recess being undercut, as illustrated in Fig. 23, and slidably mounted in the recess I05 are a pair of blocks having spring-supported gage plugs l 08 extending from their upper surfaces. An adiusting screw H0 passes longitudinally through the undercut portion of the recess and through threaded apertures I01 formed in lugs integral with the blocks, said lugs extending into the undercut portion of the recess. The threaded apertures Iii? in the lugs are of opposite cut so that rotation of the screw IIO, the ends of which are journaled in the reduced bores of bearing blocks 500 clamped in the ends of the recess I05, by screws I0! moves the blocks I 06 and therefore the gages in opposite directions. If, however, it is found desirable to adjust the gages relative to each other, the bearing blocks Hi9 may be unclamped by backing off the screws I05. If one of the gage blocks 06 is then fixed in place by removing one of the set screws I0! from its bearing block and setting it in an aperture I03 against the aforesaid gage-block, rotation of the screw H0 will cause the screw H0 to move longitudinally of the elongate member I04 and as a result the other of the blocks I06 will move with the screw relative to the fixed block.

The tape to be applied to the work onthe work support is of the pressure-sensitive type and has adhesive on one surface of the tape which is normally non-tacky or only slightly tacky but which holds the tape fast on the work when the tape is pressed firmly against it. In drawing on tape of this type to feed it into a position where it may be applied to the work, considerable trouble has been experienced due to the fact that the tape does not always unroll readily. lNhenthe pulling-off devices exert a pull on the reel, particularly when themachine has been idle for a period of time, the reel will frequently resist stripping until a considerable amount of tension has been built up and then will suddenly let go so that an excess quantity of the tape is unwound. This uneven characteristicin the feeding of this particular type of tape has been to a large extent overcome by a friction mounting for the tape reel in the present machine. To this end the tape reel II I is mounted on a mandrel I I2 (Fig. 9) journalled on a stud H4 threaded into the front face of the gear casing I2. The stud H4 is shouldered at IIS midway of its ends and provided with a ratchet I It at its free end. A stop nut I20 having an aperture therethrough is adiustab'ly fixed longitudinally of 'the stud by means of a spring-pressed'finger I22 tiltable in a diametrical slot l2l formed in the nut to engage the ratchet on the stud. A coiled spring IE0 is disposed between the inner face of the stop nut and a plate resting against the tape reel III so as to press against the reel and prevent free rotation of the same on the stud Hi, the nut having an annular groove I27 in its face to receive the spring. The resistance of the reel III to rotation may be increased or decreased by adjusting the position of the stop nut I20 on the end of the stud.

The tape is stripped from the reel and positioned over the work on the work support by the combined efiorts of a feed roll I28 and a pair of gripper members I30 and I32. The feed roll I28 is mounted on a shaft I29 driven by chain goodies and sprockets I3I from a cam shaft I54. The shaft 129 extends from the gear box to such a position that the length of tape drawn over the roll mounted thereon from the tape reel III will lie in the same vertical plane as the reel and roll and will be delivered from the roll I28 to the gripper I30 in line with the work support. The feed roll I28 is covered with .a composition I34 which may be of rubber or other material adapted to increase the friction between the tape and the feed roll. In order to maintain the tape in contact with a substantial portion of the peripheral surface of the roll a pair of guide rolls I36, I38 (Fig. 1) mounted on a guard plate I31 carried by a bracket I39, are positioned adjacent to the periphery of the roll, one of said rolls I36 being positioned at the top of the feed roll and the other I38 at the bottom thereof adjacent to the gripper I30. The tape is unwound from. the bottom of the reel and passes from the. reel III over the guide roll I30, around the feed roll I28, under the bottom-guide roll I38 and subsequently into the gripper I30. Additional guide means is provided at the bottom adjacent the roll I38, said means comprising a stud I00 also carried on the plate I31 and having an inner surface adapted to engage the edge of the tape and guide I stantially greater than the actual feeding of the tape so that there is considerable slipping between the tape and the roll. Because of the slipping between the tape and the feed roll the tape is actually fed forward only when the gripper I30 or I32 exerts a tensile pull upon the tape so as to engage the tape with the surface of the feed roll. It is apparent, therefore, that the feeding force is divided about equally between the grip pers I30, I32 and the feed roll I28. The grippers I30, I32 are oscillated over the work support and act alternately so that the tape feeds forward when the gripper I30 moves it into engagement with the feed roll I28, and it is evident that when the gripper l30 moves back to acquire a new portion of tape for the succeedingtapepresenting operation the gripper I 32 will maintain the engagement of the tape with the feed roll for a predetermined length of time when it will release the tape whereupon the gripper I30 backs the tape off from engagement with the feed roll surface to such an extent that the feed roll will not exert any feeding pull on the tape. The feed roll, moreover, as indicated above, rotates intermittently in timed relation with the movement of the grippers, this intermittent motion being preferred to a continuous rotation because of the fact that it has been found that occasion-' ally the tape would catch on a continually rotating feed roll even though loosely associated therewith and pull ofi considerable lengths of tape, sometimes, in fact, stripping the whole reel.

As previously stated, this machine has been designed for rapid operation and it has therefore been necessary to provide gripping means for moving the tape over the work support which will not only present the successive lengths of tape but will hold them in the proper position to be cut and applied to the work. Since a single gripper could notconveniently be used to hold the work in position and at the same time be ready to feed a new length of tape, it has been found desirable to employ two grippingmembers,

at I46 and I48 to the frame of the machine.

one of which partially feeds the tape into position and returns to secure a succeeding length, while the other completes the presentation of the tape and holds it in position until it is united with the work. To this end, the tape gripping members I 39 and I32, having substantially longitudinal reciprocating motion to and from each other above the work support, are independently mounted on the lower ends of a pair of elongate arms I42, I44 (Fig. 8) pivoted at their upper ends arms I42 and I44 are provided with cam rolls I50 and I52, the cam roll I50 being journaled in the end of an arm I54 forming an extension at the end of the arm I42 and the cam roll I52 being journaled at the end of an extension I56 formed intermediate the ends of the arm I44. The cam rolls I50 and I52 run in cam grooves I58 and I60 formed in the opposite faces of the cam disk I62 which is mounted for rotation on a cam shaft I64. The shape of the cam grooves are such that when the cam disk is rotated the arms I42 and I44 are caused to oscillate about their pivot points so as to move the grippers I30 and I32 toward and away from each other in timed relation.

While the above-mentioned camdisk I62 imparts the necessary motion to the grippers for conducting the tape across the work support, additional mechanism must be provided in connection with the gripping members themselves to cause the gripper I30 to grip the tape and move it into position to be gripped by the second gripping member 32, means to permit the gripper I30 to release the tape and return for a succeeding length, and means for causing the second gripping member I32 torelease the tape hen a predetermined length has been positioned over the work support. To this end the initial movement of the tape is carried out by the gripper I30 which includes a foot I66 rigid on the arm I42 and on which the tape lies and. a spring pressed pivoted jaw I68 which overlies the tape and which is operative during the inward movement of the gripper I30 to hold the tape so that it will move with the gripper. The foot I66 is in the form of an elongate fluted channel (Fig. 12) and is rigidly mounted at one end on a pin I61 fast on the end of the arm I42, by means of a clamp bracket I10. The jaw I68 is pivotally mounted on the pin I61. Its apex edge I12 (Fig. 4) lies in advance of its pivot point and is spring-pressed against the tape disposed in the channel by a spring I13. During the inward movement of the gripper the apex edge I12 of the movable jaw I68 bites into the tape and holds it, while during the return movement of the gripper the movable jaw rides over the tape leaving the latter free to move between the jaws.

It has been found that during warm or damp atmospheric conditions the tape becomes flabby and the end of the tape which projects from the forward edge of the channel of the gripper foot I66 will droop. As a result of this the end of the tape will not be in line with the jaws of the second gripper I32 at the meeting point of the two grippers (Fig. 8) and will not be grasped thereby. To overcome this drooping a tongue I14 (Fig. 6) has been provided at one side of the forward edge of the channel. This tongue will support the tape in advance of the edge of the channel over approximately half of its Width. The other half of the tape will therefore be unsupported and as a result the-tape buckles transversely to a slight degree. This transverse buckling is sufficient to The stiffen the tape so that it will not droop even though the tape is limp and flabby.

While the construction just described takes care of any possible drooping, very often stiif tapes are employed and there is a tendency for this type of tape to curl upwardly at the end and, as in the other case, the end of the tape will not be in proper position to be grasped. To this end a guide member I16 overlies the channel and 'cooperates therewith to hold the tape down, the member being mounted on the pin I61 which, as previously stated, supports the bracket I10 on the arm I42. The guide member I16 is sloped slightly toward the channel (Fig. 4) and is urged against the same by means of a spring I so that during the forward movement of the gripper the end of the guide member will lightly press against the tape and hold it flat with respect to the gripper during its initial inward movement. A

pin I82 is arranged at one longitudinal edge of the guide member I16 which pin engages the upper edge of the channel (Fig. 12) and thereby prevents the guide member I16 from forcing the tape against the bottom of the channel. On the return movement of the gripper the tape beneath the guide member has a tendency to lift it slightly against the spring and thereby permit the free movement of the tape in the channel during the back stroke.

As previously stated, the tape employed in this the channel in the foot I66, it has been provided I with a series of ribs or flutes I84 (Fig. 12) upon which the tape is adapted to ride so that there will be a minimum of surface contact between the tape and the channel.

The gripper I30 just described performs the initial part of the tape feeding operation in that it moves the tape from the feed roll end of the work support toward an intermediate point so that it may be grasped by the second gripper I32. This second gripper I32 is adapted to grip the free end of the tape presented to it by the first gripper and comprises a fixed jaw I86 mounted on the lower extremity of the elongate arm I44 and a movable jaw I88 mounted in cooperating relation therewith. The fixed jaw I86 is secured to the arm by means of a threaded screw I 90 and a pin I92 extending through the arm I44. The pivotedjaw I88 rocks on the pin I92 and is provided with a finger I94 extending to the left (Fig. 8) of the pivot, said finger having two cam surfaces I96 and I91 on its under side. A locking dog I98 is pivotally mounted at I95 on the arm I44 adjacent to the movable jaw I88 so that it may be moved into contact with one or the other of the cam surfaces I96 and I91. A flat spring I93 is secured to the arm, a portion of the free end being arranged to overlie the pivoted jaw I88 so as to prevent it from being tipped up out of the range of the dog. The arrangement is such that, when viewing the machine from the front, counterclockwise movement of the locking dog I98 will move it into contact with the cam surface I96 so as to close the movable jaw I88 over the fixed jaw I86 and lock the same in its closed position, the contour of the dog and cam surface being such that they are self locking. Clockwise movement of the locking dog will move the. same into contact with the tail I99 (Fig. 1) to open the jaw while, at the same time, contact with the cam surface I91 will lock the jaw in the open position. The pin I95 upon which they dog I98 is mounted is journaled in the lower end-cf the arm I44 and extends to the rear thereof sufiiciently to receive thereon a lug 288, said lug being keyed to the pin at one end and being provided with a cam surface 282 (Fig. 2) at its free end. When the arm I44 carries the gripper I32 into position to grasp the end of the tape projecting from the gripper I38, as shown in Figs. 4 and 8, the cam surface 282 will be in position to cooperate with the end of a pivoted finger 284, said finger being operable to turn the lug 288 and hence the dog I98 which engages the cam surface I96 so as to close the jaw I88 and grip the tape. The finger 284 is pivoted to a rib 285 (Figs. 3 and 9) depending from a mid portion of the frame of the machine, at 286 and is provided with an extension substantially diametrically opposite thereto having a lug 288 (Fig. 9) adapted to be acted upon by a reciprocating pin 218, whereby the finger may be intermittently tipped in a clockwise direction against the action of a spring 2I2 mounted between the finger 284 and the frame of the machine which urges it in a counterclockwise direction looking at the front of the machine. The pin 2! 8, to this end, is slidably mounted in a bore 2I4 formed in the frame of the machine, said bore extending substantially vertically upward and opening at a point adjacent to a crank 2H5 mounted for rotation with the cam shaft I64. The crank 218 is bolted to the cam disk I82 and is provided with a cam tooth 2I8 which projects radially from the surface of the crank and is adapted to wipe the end of the pin H8 at each rotation of the cam so as toaforce the pin downwardly against the finger 28 When, during movement of the arm I 44 and hence the gripper I32 to the left (Fig. 1), a sufd- I cient length of tape has been drawn forward over the work on the support 32, the jaw I88 will be opened positively by the dog I88 as soon as the lug 2'88 strikes a trip block 228 (Fig. 1) adjustably carried on the frame. This trip block 228 is mounted for adjustment longitudinally of the path of movement of the gripper I32, thereby permitting the machine to beset in accordance with working conditions, such as the size of the work. To facilitate duplication of a previous set ting, the block 228 is provided with a scale finger 222 screwed to the top thereof, said scale finger being adapted to register with a graduated scale 224. Adjustment of the trip block may be effected by a hand screw 226 rotatable in a journal block 22'! (Fig. 5) and held against axial movement with respect thereto. The journal block 221 is tiltably mounted, by a stud 229, on athick plate 23I which is attached to the frame 12. The hand screw 226' is threaded into and through a stud 228the shank 238 of which extends through a curved slot 233 in the thick plate 23L The trip block 228 is mounted on the end of the-shank 238 and secured thereto by means of-a nut, said block 228 being provided with a curved tongue on its rear surface adapted to slide in a curved recess 232 and adjustable along the recess'by rotation of the screw 226. Any change in position of the block 228 will obviously change the position at which the jaws will release the tape and therefore vary the length of the tape. The end of the screw 226 is provided with a wheel and handle 234 for rotation of the same and, to prevent unintended movement of the screw, 2. spring-pressed plunger 236is seated in a recess formed in the frame of the machine behind the wheel so as frictionally to engage its under surface.

As soon as the tape has been properly positioned over the work on the work support by means of the grippers, the tape must be severed so that it will be free to be united by the presser to the work. When the machine is used for eyelet-stays, the tape is shaped at the same time that it is severed so as to fit the work to which it is to be applied, for example, to fit into the end zones of the eyelet fly. The cutting means for the present machine therefore has been designed not only 5 to sever the tape but also to cut it along curved lines so as to produce the desired rounded corners on each end of the tape. To this end, the cutting means (Fig. 13) comprises a fixed punch 238 and a movable die 268, the die constituting a single knife cooperating with the punch to simultaneously sever and shape-the tape. The fixed punch 288is-provided with two oppositely disposed cutting edges 256 converging from back to front and on the surface of the punch between the cutting edges there is formed a raised ridge 258, the punch being attached to the rib 285 on the frame of the machine by means of an adjustable bracket 248. The punch is provided with an extension 242 which is. received in a socket 244 formed in the bracket and a set screw 246 retains the punch in the socket. The bracket 248 (Figs. 5 and 22) is adjustably secured to the frame rib 285 and to this end has a tongue 24l fitting a horizontal groove in the rib. The inner face of the bracket is sloped so that a wedge 248 may be disposed between it and the frame of the machine. A pair of screws 258 extend through slots in the bracket and the wedge .248 and are threaded into the frame rib 285. A screw 252 extends through another slot in the bracket and is threaded into the Wedge 248. By loosening up on the screws 258 and the screw 252 the wedge 248 may be moved in either direction and the position of the bracket 248 adjusted either longitudinally or transversely of the work support. The transverse position is determined by the setting of a stop screw 249.

The die 268 cooperating with the aforesaid punch 238 is mounted for reciprocation to and from the punch with the pressing member I4.

This die 268 is provided with a vertical passage 2 282 (Figs. 13 and 16) extending therethrough, the inner sidewalls 264 (Fig. 15) of the die at the lower end of the same flaring .tocorrespond with the curved cutting edges 256' of the punch, said passage extending uniformly and vertically upward throughout the major portion of its'length but curving backward and flaring at its upper end at 266 (Fig. 17). The inner walls of the passage 262 are provided with a plurality of notches 238 for a purpose hereinafter to be described. When the punch and die are brought into severing relation, due to their configuration, a small section of waste scrap 218 is cut from the tape, the lateral edges of the section being parallel and the transverse edges 212 being curved in conformance with the cutting edges of the punch and die. These small sections of scrap 2'?!) must be disposed of so as not to impede the cutting operation of subsequent lengths of tape and the feeding of the freshly cut, advancing end of the tape T across the punch 238, and it is for the purpose of 70, v

the cutting operation is performed the piece of scrap 210 out from the tape is slightly larger in area than the punch. The punch drives this severed section of tape up into the passage 262 in the die where it lodges upon the withdrawal of the die by reason of the fact that the edges 212 of the scrap 210 engage the aforementioned notches 288. The reason for this is that the scrap expands and tends to straighten out in the passage 262 and therefore projects its edges into the notches 268. During the successive operations of cutting, the scrap accumulates in the passage and forms a column 214 consisting of numerous sections which stick to each other and the column is gradually forced up through the upper end 293 of the passage where it may be broken oiT adjacent the top of the passage and disposed of.

When the machine is used for the taping of other parts of the shoe upper and it is found desirable to make simply a straight out rather than a curved cut, a pair of shearing cutters 21B and 278 (Figs. 22 and 23) may be substituted for the die 2% and punch 238 just described. One of the shear members is secured to the bracket 249 and the other is secured to the pressing member I4. Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 5, the shear type cutters are shown at 216 and 218. The cutter 276 comprises a straight shear edge and is mounted in the bracket 24!! in place of the punch 238. The cutter 218 having a similar shear edge is mounted in place of the die 260 on the presser.

The presser It comprises a horizontally disposed foot 280 (Fig. 9) arranged to move to and from the work support and during contact therewith to unite the tape with the work on the support. The contact between the presser and work support, as previously indicated, is prolonged by causing its downward movement to continue for a substantial distance after it strikes the work support before starting on its upstroke. The presser foot 289 is formed integral with a slide 282 having beveled edges 283 (Fig. 11) arranged to slide in a way 284 formed in the frame of the machine. The back side of the slide 282 is recessed at 286 to accommodate a pitman 238 connected at one end to a wrist pin 29!! fixed to the foot 230 and at the other end to the crank 2I6 by means of a pin 292. The presser foot 280 is arranged to carry one member of the cutter as previously indicated and to this end the end of the foot is provided with a dovetail groove 294. The cutting member, which may be either the die 29!! or the shear member 2l'8, is provided with a tenon 2 93 adapted to fit into the groove 294. It is important to prevent any movement of the cutting element with respect to the presser and therefore .a special locking device is provided to securely fix the cutter in position at the end of the presser foot. The locking device comprises in this instance a hook-shaped bolt 298 which extends through an aperture 300 formed in the presser foot. a part of theaperture intersecting the dovetail groove 294. The hooked portion 291 of the hook-shaped bolt 298 engages the tenon 296 in the dovetail groove 294 and locks it in place.

To determine and then to maintain exactly the desired heightwise relation between the presser foot 280 and the cutter, such as the shear member 218 or the die 269, an abutment screw 335 (Figs. 1 and 19) is provided which is threaded in the abutment block 9! and rests against the up- 7 per end of the tenon 296 on the cutter. This screw is held in adjusted position bya set screw 301. The bottom of the presser foot 289 is provided with a work-engaging strip 299 extending from end to end and secured thereto by a dovetail and groove connection. The front edge of the member 299 is provided with a series of apertures 383 spaced from the front edge and connected thereto by slots 35M extending inwardly from the edge for a purpose which will be hereinafter described.

Since this machine is automatic and the reciprocation of the presser toward the support is fairly rapid, there is a danger that the operator may injure his fingers either by getting them mashed as the presser strikes against'the support or by getting them caught between the cutter blades which come together prior to the contact of the presser with the support. Safety devices have therefore been provided for preventing the operator from injuring his hands. To this end a plurality of spring-pressed pins 392 are spaced along the front edge, of the presser foot, each pin being provided with a fin 394 which slopes from the lower end of the pin outwardly and upwardly so that as the pin moves into contact with the work support the edge of the fins 394 will cam any object, such as the fingers of the operator, away from the work support. The fingers 302 are mounted in vertical bores 393 (Fig, 10) formed in the foot-shaped member 289, the bores being enlarged at the lower end to accommodate springs 308 disposed axially about the pins 392. In order to retain the pins in place each pin is provided with a shoulder 3H1 integral therewith which butts against a recess 3l2 formed in the inner side of the strip 299. The exposed ends 2 of the pins 302 and fins 394 project through the apertures 333 and are held against rotation by engagement of the fins 394 in the slots 39! in the strip 299. These pins not only act as guards but the inner surfaces of the pins guide the tape and the sloping edges of the fins guide the Work beneath the presser. The guard for preventing the operator from putting his fingers in the path of the descending cutter comprises a vertical rod 3 (Figs. 1 and 3) fastened at its lower end at 3I6 to the free end of the stationary cutter. The upper end of the rod 3M extends through an aperture formed in a plate M8, the latter being secured to the abutment block 9| on the presser.

While generally the tape applied to the work is of such dimensions that it will fall freely from the cutters on to the work without guidance, there are instances when the sections of tape to be applied, such as the throat stays TS, are of such small dimensions that if allowed to fall freely would tend to flutter and alight upon the work in an improper position. To eliminate this undesirable feature a fork 320 having spaced flattened prongs 322 is disposed beneath the tape adjacent to the cutter so that when the throat stay is severed, it will rest upon the prongs. The fork 320 is carried at the end of an arm 324 the inner end of which is telescopically'slidable in a longitudinal bore in one end of an elongate block 326 having a slot 321 in its upper surface. This block is pivotally secured at its other end to a bracket 328 attached to the frame of the machine. A bent arm 339 projects upwardly from the bracket 328 at its forward end. A lever 332 having an elbow 334 integral therewith is pivoted to the bent arm 339 so that the elbow 334 extends to one side of the pivot point. The lower end of the lever 332 is joined to the fork-carrying arm 324 by a link 336, the other end of which is pivotally secured to the inner end of the aforesaid arm by means of an ear integral with the arm and projecting upwardly through the slot 321. The fork 320 is normally supported, so that its prongs 322 are at a level with the cutting edge of the fixed cutter 216, by means of a coil spring 338 one end of which is secured to a pin 34!) projecting from the arm 324, the other end of the spring being secured to a pin 342 projecting from the link 336. The heightwise position of the arm 324, and hence of the fork, is determined by a stop screw 329 threaded in a plate 333 which is attached to the bracket 328. The fork 320 is arranged to lower the stay, after it is severed by the cutters, to the work platform prior to the contact of the presser with the work and also to move from beneath the stay and away from the work, leaving the stay deposited thereon, so as not to be in the path of the presser. To this end a striker 344 is adjustably mounted at the end of the presser foot in such a position that the end of the striker projects downwardly in advance of the presser surface sufliciently to contact the arm 324 of the fork simultaneously with the shearing of the tape to move the sheared tape piece down into engagement with the work support as the presser approaches the support. A springpressed pin 34B is also mounted at the end of the presser foot, the end of the pin being arranged to strike the work on the support between the prongs of the fork and on a line with the front edge of the stay simultaneously with the engagement of the fork and support and prior to the withdrawal of the fork. This pin 346 acts as a stripper to prevent the stay from being moved laterally from the work support when the fork is Withdrawn from the support. It is desirable to flatten the surface of the pin 346 so that the stay will not be twisted on the work when the prongs of the fork slide from beneath the tape. A bracket348 secured to the presser foot is provided with a projecting arm 35!! arranged on the downward movement of the presser to strike the elbow-shaped member 334 and thereby to cause the links 332 and 336 to move the arm 324 forward in the block 326. The forward movement of the arm 324 moves the fork 320 away from the work support. The linkage is returned to its normal position by a spring 33| secured at one end to the lever 332 and at the other end to the plate 333.

Power may be supplied to the machine through a pulley 351 which is mounted'on a drive shaft the latter shaft being connected by gears 354 (Fig. 3) to the cam shaft I64 through an interposed clutch 356. Any suitable one-revolution clutch may be employed, and the result will be that whenever a treadle (not shown). connected to a treadle rod 330 is depressed and then released the machine will go through a single cycle and stop. The treadle rod 3B0'is connectedto a lever 332 (Fig. 1) pivotally mounted on. the frame and carrying at an intermediate point a catch 334 which is normally held in engagement with a trip lever 336 by a spring 368. The catch 33 has a laterally extending arm which rests upon an adjustable stop screw 316 so that upon depression of the treadle rod 360 the upper end of the catch 334 will be moved to: the right, releasing the trip lever. This trip lever 336 is secured on a shaft 339 extending back through the gear box I2 and arranged to release the clutch. The catch 334 may be adjusted to hold the trip lever 333 in the down position whereupon the machine operates continuously until the lever is released.

In operation the machine may be used intermittently by tripping the lever as each piece of work is placed in position to be taped, or it may be used in a continuous manner by adjusting the catch 364 so as to hold the lever depressed and allowing the machine to operate continuously, the operator inserting and removing the work as fast as the tape is applied thereto. The sequence of movement on the part of the machine is as follows. Starting with the completion of the taping of a piece of work Q, the presser foot, still in engagement therewith, begins to move away from the support and, as soon as it actually releases the work, the operator removes the latter and inserts a new piece of work. As the presser moves upwardly so that the cutting means are cleared, the gripping members I30 and I32 move in from each side of the work platform toward the center thereof. The right-hand gripping member E33, looking at the front of the machine during its initial movement, brings the tape T into engagement with the feed roll I28 and the combined gripper and feed roll act to pullthetape from the reel I I I, the tape being guided over the work support I4 and the stationary member 233 or 273 of the cutter, as the case may be. The left-hand gripper I32 moves inwardly simultaneously, the jaws I86 and I83 of the gripper being open and, as the grippers come together at the center of the work support, the jaws of the lefthand gripper 832 are closed over the end of the tape. The two grippers then begin to recede from each other, the left-hand gripper I32 drawing the tape through the right-hand gripper I33 which is inactive on its back stroke. At a predeterminedv position in the back stroke of the left-hand gripper i32 the jaws are caused to open, thereby releasing the tape. The right-hand gripper at this time is still receding and continues to do so until it clears the cutters, whereupon it stops. The re-- that movement the die 263 or the cutter 218 carried by the presser shears the tape. The length ES or TS of tape sheared by the cutters drops on to the work on the work support and as the presser moves down on to the work support it unites the tape with the work Q or V. In order to insure a complete adhesion of the stay and work, the downward movement of the presser I4 does not terminate when it contacts the work support I 6 but continues for a short distance, moving the work support downwardly against the spring 24 which supports it, thereby prolonging the contact of the presser and work support.

When excessively short pieces of tape are to be cut the previously described lowering device 320 comprising the fork 322 comes into action simultaneously with the cutting of the tape. The fork moves down toward the work support in advance of the presser and deposits the piece of tape on the work and then moves toward the operator, while a stripper pin 3% carried by the presser prevents the position of the stay from being disturbed by the movement of the fork from the work.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a taping machine, the combination of a work support, a source of tape supply, means for-cutting apredetermined length of tape from said supply, and means for applying said length of tape to work on said support, said cutting means comprising a die having spaced curved cutting edges converging transversely of the path of the tape, and a punch cooperating therewith to shear a section from the tape whereby the trailing edge of the severed piece and the leading edge of the succeeding tape each have a curved corner at one end edge thereof.

2. In ataping machine having tape cutting means, means for presenting a length of tape to the cutting means, said cutting means being arranged to make simultaneously two spaced cutsin the tape, and means associated with the cutting means for causing the tape to be bent longitudinally between said cuts during the cutting operation.

3. In a taping machine having tape cutting means, means for presenting a length of tape to the cutting means, said cutting means comprising spaced cutting edges, and means cooperating therewith to cause the tape to be bent longitudinally between said spaced cutting edges, whereby a section may be cut from the tape greater in length than the distance between the cutting edges.

4.'In a taping machine, means for cutting off the tape comprising a punch and die having operating cutting edges, and a projection on said punch adapted to bend the section of the tape extending between the cutting edges of the die before the cutting edges of the punch and die engage the tape.

5. In a taping machine having tape cutting means, a source of tape supply, means for presenting a length of tape to the cutting means, said cutting means comprising cooperating members arranged to cut a section from the tape, and means on one of said members for stripping and holding the severed section of tape from the other member.

6. In a taping machine, means for cutting off a length of tape comprising a punch and die, the

punch and die having spaced cutting edges cooperating to cut a section from the tape, a projection'on said punch between the cutting edges of the die to bend the tape longitudinally between the cutting edges of the die, and grooves in the die to receive the ends of the scrap section whereby it is stripped from the punch when the punch and die are separated.

7. In a taping machine, means for cutting on" a tape comprising a punch and die cooperating to cut from the tape a section extending across it, the die having walls defining a passage adapted to receive the severed section and from which the section is ejected by said punch, and grooves in the walls of the passage to receive the ends of the section whereby the latter is stripped from the punch'during the retractive movement of the die from the punch.

8. In a taping machine, the combination of a work support, a pressing member reciprocable to and from the same, and means for presenting a length of tape between said support and pressing member sufficient for a complete'taping operation, saidmeans comprising a pair of pulling-off members movable in opposite directions from the opposite ends of the support to a midpoint between the ends, one of said members adapted on its feeding movement to present the tape to the other of said members at the midpoint, the latter pulling-01f member being adapted to grip and move the tape in the same direction beyond the midpoint simultaneously with the return movement of the first member toward its initial position for a succeeding feeding movement.

9. In a taping machine, the combination of a work support, a pressing member reciprocable to and from the same, and means for presenting between said support and presser member a length of tape sufiicient for a complete taping operation, said means comprising a feed roll and pulling-off means arranged to intermittently move the tape into contact with a substantial portion of the periphery of the roll.

10. In a taping machine, the combination of a work support, a pressing member reciprocable to and from the same, and means for presenting between said support and pressing member a length of tape sufficient for a complete taping operation, said means comprising a feed roll and a pair of pulling-off members, one of said members being adapted to move the tape into contact with a substantial portion ofthe periphery of the feed roll, the other of said members being adapted to continue the feeding relation between the tape and feed roll until the desired length of tape has been pulled off and while the first member returns to its initial position for a succeeding operation.

11. In a taping machine, the combination of a work support, a pressing member reciprocable to and from the same, and means for presenting between said support and pressing member a length of tape sufiicient for a complete taping operation, said means comprisinga feed roll and a pair of pulling-off members movable from opposite ends of the support to a common intermediate point, one of said members being adapted to move the tape into feeding relation with the feed roll, said feed roll and member being constructed and arranged to cooperate in moving the tape to present the same to the other of said members at the intermediate point, the latter being adapted to maintain the tape in feeding rel-ationwith said feed roll and to continue the feed of said tape simultaneously with the return movement of the first member to its initial posi tion in readiness for a succeeding operation, and means arranged to cause said second member to release the tape at a predetermined point beyond said intermediate point.

12. In a taping machine having tape pullingoff means comprising a tape presenting device and a tape receiving device, means operating to move the receiving device toward the presenting device, the receiving device having separable jaws for receiving the tape between them and the presenting device having separable jaws adapted to clamp the end of the tape, and means associated with said jaws beyond which the end of the tape extends for projecting the end of the tape between the jaws of the receiving device, said means being arranged to support a part of the width of the tape whereby a limited buckling of the remaining width of tape is permitted to prevent the unsupported tape end from falling below the gap between the jaws of the receiving v receiving device having jaws, said tape presenting device being arranged to deliver the end of the tape to the jaws of the receiving device, the presenting device comprising a longitudinally fluted foot for contact with an adhesively coated surface of the tape, and a spring-pressed jaw operative to clamp the tape against the foot.

14. A tap-ing machine having pulling-oil means comprising a tape presenting device and a tape receiving device having jaws, said tape presenting device being arranged to deliver the end of the tape to the jaws of the tape receiving device, said presenting device comprising a foot adapted to engage an adhesively coated surface of the tape, and means operating to clamp the tape against the foot, the end of the foot being recessed at one side to allow the tape to buckle transversely.

15. A taping machine having pulling-01f means comprising a tape presenting device and a tape receiving device having jaws, said tape presenting device being arranged to deliver the end of the tape to the jaws of the receiving device, said presenting device comprising a foot adapted to engage an adhesively coated surface of the tape, means operating to clamp the tape against the foot, and a spring-pressed pivoted guide arranged to overlie the tape on the foot to prevent the same from curling up at its free end.

16. A taping machine having pulling-off means comprising a tape presenting device and a tape receiving device having jaws, said tape presenting device being arranged to deliver the end of the tape to the jaws of the receiving device, said presenting device comprising a foot adapted to engage an adhesively coated surface of the tape, means operating to clamp the tape against the foot, means arranged to overlie the tape on the foot,, and a pin mounted on said last-named means to engage the foot and maintain the under surface thereof spaced from the surface of the foot.

17. A taping machine having pulling-01f means comprising a tape presenting device and a tape receiving device having jaws, said tape presenting device being arranged to deliver the end of the tape to the jaws of the receiving device, said presenting device comprising an arm having a tape supplying foot secured to .its end, a clamping jaw pivotally secured to the end of the arm, and a spring urging said jaw toward the foot.

18. .A taping machine having pulling-off means comprising a tape presenting device and a tape receiving device having jaws, said tape presenting device being arranged to deliver the end of the tape to the jaws of the receiving device, the jaws of said receiving device being separable, a cam finger on one of said jaws, a locking dog arranged to cooperate with the cam finger, and means operating to cause said locking dog to move the cam finger so as to open said jaws. I

19. In a taping machine having pulling-off means comprising a tape presenting device and a tape receiving device having jaws, said tape presenting device being arranged to deliver the end of the tape to the jaws of the receiving device, means to move the receiving device to and from the presenting device, a pivoted finger operable to close the jaws of the receiving device on the end of the tape at the receiving position of the same, and locking means arranged to maintain the jaws closed during a part of the pulling-off stroke of the receiving device.

20. In a taping machine having pu11ing-ofi means comprising a tape presenting device and a tape receiving device having jaws, said tape presenting device being arranged to deliver the end of the tape to the jaws of the .receiving device, means to reciprocate the receiving device to and from the presenting device, means to close the jaws of the receivingdevice comprising a pivoted finger, a pin, and a driven cam-operable-im termittently to cause said pin to move said finger so as to close the jaw.

21. In a taping machine, a work support, and pulling-off means comprising a tape presenting device and a tape receiving device having jaws, said tape presenting device being arranged to deliver the end of the tape to the jaws of the receiving device at the midpoint of the worksupport, means to close the jaws of the pulling-01f device on the end of the tape at the midpoint of the work support, means to maintain the jaws closed during a part of the pulling-off movement of the receiving device, means positively to open I the jaws when a predetermined length of :tape has been drawn off, and means to locksaid jaws in open position until the closing means operates to close the same.

22. In a taping machine, a work support, and pulling-off means comprising a tape presenting device and a tape receiving device having jaws, said tape presenting device being arranged to deliver the end of the tape to the jaws of the receiving device at the midpoint of the work support, means to move the receiving device in timed sequence with the presenting device so that they meet at the said midpoint, means to close the jaws on the end of the tape at said midpoint, means to maintain the jaws closed during a part of the pulling-off movement of the receivingdevice, a block arranged in the path of the receiving device to open the jaws, and means to ad just the position of the block.

23. In a taping machine, a work support, and pulling-01f means comprising a tape presenting device and a tape receiving device having jaws, said tape presenting device being arranged to deliver the end of the tape to the jaws of a receiving device, means for moving the presenting and receiving devices in timed sequence so that they meet at the midpoint of the work support, the jaws of said receiving device being cooperable to grip the end of the tape presented thereto, a

finger mounted on one of the jaws having cam.

surfaces, a locking dog arranged to move from one cam surface to-the other to open and close the jaws, 2. lug connected to the locking dog to move the same over the cam surfaces, and means adapted to be engaged by the lug at opposite ends of the path of the receiving device to operate the lug.

24. In a taping machine, a work support, and pulling-off means comprising a tape presenting device and a tape receiving device having jaws, said tape presenting device being arranged to deliver the end of the tape to the jaws of the receiving device at the midpoint of the work support, the jaws of said receiving device being cooperable to grip the end of the tape presented thereto, a cam finger mounted on one of said jaws having a cam surface, a dog arranged to move along the cam surface, a lug connected to the dog to move the same, means adapted to be engaged by the lug at said midpoint toclose the jaws of the receiving device, and means adapted to be engaged by the lug at the opposite end of the path of the receiving device to open the jaws of the receiving device.

25. In a taping machine, the combination of a. work support, a pressing member reciprocable to and from the same, a work centering gage horizontally reciprocable to and from the support, and means connected to the pressing member for moving the gage into and out of gaging position.

26. In a taping machine, the combination of a work support, a pressing member reciprocable to and from the same, a pair of work centering gage fingers arranged to move to and from the support, a lever operable by the upward movement of the pressing member to move the gage onto the support and on its downward movement to remove the gage from the support, means for presenting a length of tape from a source of supply in a plane above the support spaced from the latter and the pressing member, cutting means adapted to sever a length of tape from the supply tape, and a fork on which the severed tape is deposited, said fork being mounted for movement to .lower the severed tape onto the work support and to move laterally from between the pressing member and support prior to the engagement of the pressing member and support.

2'7. In a taping machine, a work support, means for presenting a length of adhesive tape in a plane above and substantially parallel to the support, :means for lowering said length of tape onto work resting on the support, and a pressing member operating to unite the tape and the work.

28. In a taping machine, a work support for supporting work, means for presenting tape in a plane above work on the work support, means for severing a length of said tape sufficient for a complete taping operation, means to move said severed length of tape from the plane above the work to a position for application to the work, and means for thereafter applying the tape to the work.

29. In a taping machine, a work support, means for presenting from a source of supply a length of tape in a plane above work on the support, means for severing a length of said tape suflicient for a complete taping operation in said plane, means normally supporting the length of tape at the level of the severing means, means for moving said supporting means toward the work, and means for moving the supporting means laterally from the work.

30. In a taping machine having a work support and a pressing member reciprocable to and from the same, a work centeringgage, means for advancing said work centering gage into position on said support and withdrawing the same therefrom, means for presenting a length of tape above work resting on the support, means for severing a length of tape suficient for a complete taping operation, and a fork operated by the pressing member to lower the severed tape onto the work.

31. Ina taping machine, a work support, a pressing member, and means for presenting from a source of supply a length of tape above work on the work support, means for severing a length of said tape sufiicient for a complete taping operation, means normally supporting the length of tape at the level of the severing means, means for causing said supporting means to move toward the work, means to move said supporting means from beneath the tape on the supporting means, and means simultaneously to engage the edge of the tape to prevent the same from being drawn laterally from the work by the lateral withdrawing movement of the supporting means.

32. In a taping machine, a work support, a presser reciprocable to and from the same, means for presenting from a source of supply a length of tape above work on the support, means for severing a length of said tape sufficient for a complete taping operation, means for supporting the tape above the work support, means operating to move said supporting means toward the work support, means to withdraw the supporting means from beneath the tape, and'a pin operated by the presser to engage the front edge of the tape in the work simultaneously with the movement of the supporting means from beneath the tape.

33. In a taping machine, a work'support, a presser reciprocable to and from the same, means for presenting from a source of supply a length of tape above work on the support, means for severing a length of said tape sufficient for a complete taping operation, spaced fingers normally disposed at the level of the severing means arranged to support the ends of the severed tape,

a pin operated by the presser to move the fingers toward the work in advance of the presser, and a spring-pressed pin on the presser operated thereby to engage the front edge of the tape between the fingers, and means operated by the presser to move the fingers laterally from beneath the tape on the work.

34. In a taping machine comprising a work support and a presser device reciprocable toward and from the support, a plurality of yieldable pins mounted on the presser with their ends extending in advance of the presser surface, and guard fins on the exposed ends of said pins operable to expel foreign objects from the support prior to the engagement of the presser therewith.

35. In a taping machine comprising a work support and a presser device reciprocable toward and from the support, a plurality of yieldable pins mounted on the presser with their ends extending in advance of the presser surface,,and guard fins on the exposed ends of said pins, said guard fins having edges sloping upwardly and outwardly from the tip of the pins, said edges being operable to direct foreign objects from the work support.

36. In a taping machine, a work support, means for presenting a length of tape above a work piece on said support, means for simultaneously severing the tape across its entire width and cutting therefrom a tapering section extending at least partly across the tape to form similarly shaped contours on the trailing end of one length of tape and the leading end of the succeeding length of tape, and pressing means movable toward said support to apply the tape to the work piece.

$7.1m a taping machine, a work support, means for presenting a length of tape above a work piece on said support, tape severing means comprising a cutter having converging cutting edges arranged simultaneously to sever the tape across its entire width and to cut from the tape a wedge shaped section extending widthwise of the tape whereby similarly shaped contours are formed on the adjacent ends of successive lengths of tape, and a pressing member movable toward the support to apply the tape to the work piece.

$8.1m a taping machine, the combination of a work support, a pressing member reciprocable to and from the same, and means for presenting from a source of tape supply between said support and presser member a length of tape sufficient for a complete taping operation, said means comprising a feed roll having a rubber tape-engaging surface and pulling-off means arranged to intermittently move the tape into and out of contact with a substantial portion of the periphery of the feed roll.

39. In a taping machine, the combination of means comprising a feed roll and a pair of pulling-oif members, one of said members being adapted to move the tape into contact with a substantial portion of the periphery of the feed roll, the other of said members being adapted to continue the feeding relation between the tape and feed r011 until the desired length of tape has been pulled OE, and means arranged to'cause said second member to release the tape, said first 5 member during its receding movement being arranged to disengage the supply tape from its peripheral contact with the feed r011. a

JAMES E. MCIN'I'IREL 

